A line of severe thunderstorms pounded Orlando on Tuesday afternoon, knocking out power to downtown-area traffic lights and bringing down tree limbs. The strongest measured wind from the system was recorded in Kissimmee at 46 mph, said National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Bowen. By about 3:40 p.m., the storm system had cleared west Orange County, but the eastern portion of Central Florida was still getting hit with heavy rains and strong winds. A fire at a Celebration apartment building may have been sparked by lightning, said Osceola Fire Deputy Chief Daniel McAvoy.

A line of severe thunderstorms pounded Orlando on Tuesday afternoon, knocking out power to downtown-area traffic lights and bringing down tree limbs. The strongest measured wind from the system was recorded in Kissimmee at 46 mph, said National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Bowen. By about 3:40 p.m., the storm system had cleared west Orange County, but the eastern portion of Central Florida was still getting hit with heavy rains and strong winds. A fire at a Celebration apartment building may have been sparked by lightning, said Osceola Fire Deputy Chief Daniel McAvoy.

Scary. Crushed. Jungle. Slam. Windy. Wow. Disaster. These are just a sample of the words posted by students on a wall of the eighth-grade wing of St. Cloud Middle School to describe their personal reactions to hurricanes Charley and Frances, which blew through Central Florida on Aug. 13 and Sept. 6, respectively. Souvenirs of the devastation caused by the storms, including lifeless tree limbs, tree bark, shingles, a twisted piece of metal, a sandbag, screens and the head of a decapitated stop sign, accompany the students' words.

Parts of Central Florida remain under a storm warning this afternoon. A significant weather advisory is in effect for strong wind gusts over extreme southern Brevard County, Indian River County, northeastern Okeechobee County, southeastern Osceola County, northern St. Lucie County. The National Weather Service's radar indicated a storm capable of producing strong wind gusts near Fellsmere, moving east at 20 mph. Locations in the path of the storm which may experience strong winds include Vero Beach.

TAVARES The city will pick up all bulk trash, from appliances and furniture to tree limbs and compost, this week for free. The free pickup runs today through Friday, and will be done according to the city's normal garbage-collection schedule.

As Hurricane Irene approaches the region, the National Weather Service in Melbourne warns that heavy rains and wind gusts are possible this evening across Central Florida. In an advisory, forecasters warn that a band of rain is moving southwest across the region, and may impact parts of Orange, Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties. Specifically mentioned in the latest alert were Umatilla, Leesburg, Clermont, Apopka, Doctor Phillips and Lake Buena Vista. The advisory will remain in effect at least until 9:45 p.m. From the alert: "The primary threat will be cloud to ground lightning strikes and gusty winds of 45 to 55 mph...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. Tree limbs snapped with a sound like gunshots, blacking out thousands of homes and businesses, and schools and government offices were closed Tuesday as a major storm spread a glaze of ice and snow from the southern Plains to the East Coast. At least 19 deaths had been blamed on the weather. Highway crews fought to keep up with slippery roads and in some places were blocked by fallen tree limbs and power lines. Ice had built up 3 inches thick in sections of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

•Create a "defensible" space of at least 30 feet around your home, mowing the grass regularly and using widely spaced plants with high moisture content. •Prune tree limbs within the space to a height of 15 feet so lower limbs will not spread flames to the roof or soffits. •Keep tree limbs at least 15 feet from chimney outlets. •Keep the roof and gutters free of accumulated leaves so embers carried by the wind cannot set them on fire. •Keep a shovel, rake and ladder readily accessible and 50 to 100 feet of garden hose attached to an outside faucet.

CENTRAL FLORIDA - Nasty weather swept through Central Florida on Sunday evening, downing trees, contributing to traffic accidents and causing power outages, authorities said. Beginning about 8 p.m., storms brought rain and hail in some areas, along with strong winds. Tree limbs fell on several homes, causing damage, fire officials said. There were widespread power outages because of the strong winds and downed tree limbs, leaving thousands in the dark. Orlando Utilities Commission spokesman Sheridan Becht said about 6,000 customers in Orlando and St. Cloud were without power for several hours.

Strong wind gusts of up to 55 mph and small hail are predicted in the next half hour for south Lake, southwest Orange and northwest Osceola counties. A thunderstorm also is hovering over Disney's Animal Kingdom, the National Weather Service in Melbourne said. Expect lightning strikes and winds of 45 to 55 mph. Power outages and downed tree limbs are possible. Heavy rain is likely.

September 3, 2012 4:17 PM Consolidated Waterworks District # 1 Terrebonne Parish has been given authority by The Department of Health and Hospitals, State of Louisiana, to lift the Boil Water Advisory on all of the area south of Dulac Water Tank, 7618 La Hwy 57, and the area south of Four Point and all of Grand Caillou Road south of Four Point Road, La Hwy 3011. The following areas are still under the Boil Water Advisory: 1-The area south of Humble Canal on LA Hwy 55 in Montegut 2-The area along LA Hwy 665 in Pointe Aux Chene specifically including Hope Farm Road 3-The area south of Boudreaux Canal on La Hwy 56 Click here for the map of exact locations.

Rainstorms and high winds are expected between now and 7:30 p.m. in southwestern Lake and western Orange counties, including the area of the theme parks, the National Weather Service predicts. Lightning strikes and gusts of up to 55 mph are expected. Power outages and downed tree limbs are possible. The storm at 7 p.m. was 10 miles southwest of Disney's Animal Kingdom and moving north at 15 mph. Residents and visitors are advised to stay inside until the bad weather lets up.

By MICHAEL WALSH, Special to the Courant and The Hartford Courant, August 24, 2012

With the town still dealing with the effects of last year's two major storms, it's not surprising that Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro opted to take part in the recent statewide hurricane disaster drill. The drill, which simulated The Great New England Hurricane of 1938, which came ashore that September from Long Island Sound with sustained winds of 121 miles per hour, gave Purcaro and his recently upgraded emergency operations center the chance to test everything out. The '38 hurricane destroyed 8,900 homes and businesses, demolished 2,600 vessels and flooded inland rivers and streams across southern New England, killing 564 and injuring 1,700.

•Create a "defensible" space of at least 30 feet around your home, mowing the grass regularly and using widely spaced plants with high moisture content. •Prune tree limbs within the space to a height of 15 feet so lower limbs will not spread flames to the roof or soffits. •Keep tree limbs at least 15 feet from chimney outlets. •Keep the roof and gutters free of accumulated leaves so embers carried by the wind cannot set them on fire. •Keep a shovel, rake and ladder readily accessible and 50 to 100 feet of garden hose attached to an outside faucet.

A massive storm is moving eastward across the region producing strong wind gusts, small hail and dangerous lightning this afternoon, forecasters said. The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a severe weather warning for Lake, western Orange and northwestern Osceola counties until 3:15 p.m. that could affect Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lake Buena Vista area. Estimated gusts of 45 to 55 mph are capable of snapping tree limbs and causing power outages in the affected areas.

As Hurricane Irene approaches the region, the National Weather Service in Melbourne warns that heavy rains and wind gusts are possible this evening across Central Florida. In an advisory, forecasters warn that a band of rain is moving southwest across the region, and may impact parts of Orange, Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties. Specifically mentioned in the latest alert were Umatilla, Leesburg, Clermont, Apopka, Doctor Phillips and Lake Buena Vista. The advisory will remain in effect at least until 9:45 p.m. From the alert: "The primary threat will be cloud to ground lightning strikes and gusty winds of 45 to 55 mph...

Tree limbs were snapped but no one was hurt when a small helicopter had a hard landing in a Titusville neighborhood this morning, according to Florida Today. Two people were on the Robinson R22 chopper when it landed near Vaughn Street and Malinda Lane, just west of U.S. 1, at about 8:45 a.m. Read more at Florida Today.

WINTER PARK -- Thousands in Central Florida lost electricity after a powerful thunderstorm Thursday, and at least a few had to wait until Friday for the lights to come back on. "We need the rain, but not the rest of what comes with it,'' said Jim White, deputy fire chief for Winter Park. A gentler storm Friday afternoon dropped only a quarter-inch of rain in Orlando. But the winds and lightning forced the cancellation of an outdoor Disney event at the Orlando Science Center. Thursday's thunderstorm moved into the area at about 5:30 p.m., bringing strong winds and bolts of lightning through Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland and Seminole County.

Strong wind gusts of up to 55 mph and small hail are predicted in the next half hour for south Lake, southwest Orange and northwest Osceola counties. A thunderstorm also is hovering over Disney's Animal Kingdom, the National Weather Service in Melbourne said. Expect lightning strikes and winds of 45 to 55 mph. Power outages and downed tree limbs are possible. Heavy rain is likely.

Tree limbs were snapped but no one was hurt when a small helicopter had a hard landing in a Titusville neighborhood this morning, according to Florida Today. Two people were on the Robinson R22 chopper when it landed near Vaughn Street and Malinda Lane, just west of U.S. 1, at about 8:45 a.m. Read more at Florida Today.